Hi, I live on the Sunshine Coast Qld and want to head os for some winter wind. Any recommendations from people who have been there, done it? Have been to Mauritius (great), but lengthy expensive flights and the need to stopover in Perth detracts from Indian Ocean destinations if you come from Brisbane. Any brilliant places in the Pacific you can recommend? I'm not into waves and reefs but happy with strong winds. I want somewhere where I can really progress. Don't need to cram it into a short holiday if it's not an expensive destination as I'm retired. Would appreciate heads up on various destinations such as Cook Islands, Indonesia, Boracay etc? Advice on accommodation, proximity to kiting beach, conditions, wind reliability and strength, food, cost of local coaching if applicable, recommended tours etc. Thanks.
Have you looked at Lord Howe Island?
From what I've heard Fiji & Cook islands can be very hit and miss. I know people that have gone to both for 10 days and kited on one day. But then others have gone for the same duration and kited almost every day.
Thanks! Have you been to Lord Howe? Is its wind more reliable?
Many years ago before I was a kiter, and around October from memory. It was windy then on each afternoon on the sea side. The lagoon side was sheltered.
Have a search through the forum, theres others who go in winter and rave about it. I think baggage allowance on the plane can be a bit of an issue
Id love to go back.
Hey There, we are located in Tonga in the Ha'apai island group. A small remote island with some awesome kitesurfing! Check us out www.kitesurftonga.com
Are you open to staying in Australia? Can always drive / fly 2000km north and go to Cairns, Port Douglas and / or Cooktown (and further north - Kite Surfari).
I recommend New Caledonia. I just got back from a sailing trip there, I reckon you get maybe 5 good windy days in a 2 week period. There are many great flat water locations on the main island and also by short boat trips out to the lagoon islands. If you don't mind roughing it camping is allowed on the lagoon islands. many local kiters and kite schools in the Noumea area. Also some world class wave kiting at the reef passes, but need a boat for that. We also spent some time at Lord Howe which is also a good location but the lagoon can be a little on the shallow coral side in places and you won't have much company when kiting.
Its good that you have time because I can assure you that nowhere in the Pacific will have good wind every day. The weather just doesn't work like that, you may get 3 to 5 days of good trade winds in a row but there will also be equally long periods of lighter wind - great for diving, snorkelling, surfing, but not for kiting.
We operate tours to Aitutaki lagoon each year, details on www.kiteboardaitutaki.com, cheers
+1 for Aitutaki. Paradise on earth and absolutely amazing kiting at an affordable price.
Yeah Aitutaki is an unbelievably beautiful place but if pretty much guaranteed wind is what you are after you cannot go wrong with Australian Kite Surfari. I think they only had three windless days up there all last season. TBH it blows so freaking much at times you wish it would stop